Device for supporting a substantially planar article

ABSTRACT

A device for supporting a substantially planar article, such as a photograph. The device includes a support layer having a size substantially similar to the substantially planar article. The device also includes a plurality of mounts arranged for receiving portions of the substantially planar article therein to secure the substantially planar article relative to the support layer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for supporting a substantiallyplanar article. In particular, the present invention relates to a devicefor mounting and displaying a substantially planar article, such as aphotograph, on a substrate without use of adhesives on the substantiallyplanar article.

Devices for the display of substantially planar articles, such asphotographs, recipe cards, greeting cards, and the like, typicallyutilize a construction such as a book, a loose-leaf binder with pages,or a frame on which the planar articles are mounted by various means. Awide variety of pages and devices used to support and display the planararticles are known in the art. These pages and devices use various meansto mount the planar articles to the page, such as adhesives,individually applied corner mounts, and so on.

For pages and devices on which an adhesive is used to mount the planararticles, an adhesive substance is typically applied to completely coata paper or cardboard sheet. When a photograph is placed on the pagecovered in the adhesive substance, the adhesive substance retains thephotographs on the page. While the use of an adhesive substance providesan acceptable short-term means of attaching photographs to a page, theproperties of the adhesive material change over time. This often has adeleterious effect on the integrity of the planar article. For example,when a photograph is exposed to the adhesive substance for an extendedperiod of time, the photo paper may begin to degrade and/or the emulsionchemistry of the photograph may begin to change, resulting in apermanent color change of the photograph. Furthermore, a photograph maybecome difficult or impossible to remove from the adhesive substanceafter long-term exposure.

Another means of mounting a planar article is by attaching to asubstrate a plurality of triangular-shaped pockets to receive a cornerof the planar article. These triangular-shaped pockets are commonlyreferred to as “photo corners.” Photo corners are an alternative tomounting planar objects with an adhesive substance, and the inherentdrawbacks of using an adhesive substance are avoided. However, photocorners must be individually purchased and subsequently arranged on thesubstrate to precisely align with the contours of the planar article.This approach is very time-consuming and subject to human error.Furthermore, if the photo corners are made of an opaque or translucentmaterial, the portion of the planar object received and held by thephoto corner will be obscured from view on the album page.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a device that avoids the drawbacksof the various approaches to mounting planar articles heretoforedescribed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a display device for supporting a substantiallyplanar article, such as a photograph. The display device includes asupport layer having a size substantially similar to the substantiallyplanar article. The display device also includes a plurality of mountsarranged for receiving portions of the substantially planar articletherein to secure the substantially planar article relative to thesupport layer. In one embodiment, the display device includes means,such as an adhesive material, provided on at least a portion of a backsurface of the display device for attaching the display device to asubstrate. A sheet of release liner material may also be removablyprovided on the adhesive material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of a display device forsupporting a substantially planar article according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the display device shown in FIG. 1Ashowing a substantially planar article supported thereby.

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of a display device forsupporting a substantially planar article according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the display device shown in FIG. 2Ashowing a substantially planar article supported thereby.

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of a display device forsupporting a substantially planar article according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the display device shown in FIG. 3Ashowing a substantially planar article supported thereby.

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of a display device forsupporting a substantially planar article according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the display device shown in FIG. 4Ashowing a substantially planar article supported thereby.

While the above-identified drawing figures set forth several embodimentsof the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted inthe discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention byway of representation and not limitation. It should be understood thatnumerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by thoseskilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of theprincipals of this invention. The figures may not be drawn to scale.Like reference numbers have been used throughout the figures to denotelike parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of display device 10 forsupporting a substantially planar article according to an embodiment ofthe present invention, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of displaydevice 10 showing substantially planar article 12 supported thereby.Display device 10 includes support layer 20, securing tabs 22, adhesivematerial 24 and release liner 26. Support layer 20 includes frontsurface 28 and back surface 29. Adhesive material 24 is preferablyprovided on back surface 29, and release liner 26 is removably providedon adhesive material 24.

Substantially planar article 12 is supported by display device 10 asshown in FIG. 1B. Substantially planar article 12 is typically aphotograph, but any planar articles are supportable by display device 10for mounting and display, such as recipe cards, greeting cards,announcements, art work, index cards, and the like. Substantially planararticle 12 is supported by display device 10 by inserting corners ofsubstantially planar article 12 into corner pockets 30. Corner pockets30 receive the corners of substantially planar article 12 such that thecorners of substantially planar article 12 are positioned betweensupport layer 20 and securing tabs 22 when properly supported by displaydevice 10. When the corners of substantially planar article 12 arereceived by corner pockets 30, substantially planar article 12 isprevented from moving significantly with respect to display device 10.

Support layer 20 has a size that is substantially similar to the size ofsubstantially planar article 12. That is, the size of support layer 20is such that, when substantially planar article 12 is supported bysupport layer 20, support layer 20 remains largely hidden when viewingsubstantially planar article 12. Support layer 20 is made of a resilientmaterial which provides support for substantially planar article 12. Ina preferred embodiment, support layer 20 is made of a transparentpolymeric material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester,polyamide, an ionomer, or the like. While the use of a transparentpolymeric material for support layer 20 is preferred, support layer 20(or portions thereof) may also be made of a translucent resilientmaterial or of an opaque fibrous material such as paper.

Securing tabs 22 are preferably made of a material that is pliable topermit the corners of substantially planar article 12 to be easilyreceived by corner pockets 30, but durable to allow frequent insertioninto corner pockets 30 and removal from corner pockets 30 ofsubstantially planar article 12 without damage to corner pockets 30. Inone embodiment, securing tabs 22 are made of transparent polymericmaterial, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, a polyester, a polyamide,an ionomer, or the like. The use of a transparent material for securingtabs 22 allows viewing of the corners of substantially planar article 12through securing tabs 22 when received by corner pockets 30. As statedabove, securing tabs 22 are secured to front surface 28 of support layer20, along sealed edges 35. Typically, securing tabs 22 are affixed tosupport layer 20 along sealed edges 35 with an adhesive material or byheat bonding means such as ultrasonic welding or thermal bonding. Theopening for insertion of a corner of substantially planar article 12into corner pocket 30 is provided by leaving one edge of securing tabs22 unaffixed to support layer 20.

Display device 10 includes a layer of adhesive material 24 on backsurface 29 to allow display device 10, and substantially planar article12 supported thereby, to be mounted and displayed on any number ofsubstrates, including albums, scrapbooks, doors, walls, refrigerators,computer monitors, and so on. In one embodiment, adhesive material 24 isprovided on a portion of back surface 29, but adhesive material 24 mayalternatively completely coat back surface 29. Adhesive material 24 maybe a repositionable adhesive, which permits display device 10 to beadhered to and removed from a variety of substrates multiple timeswithout significant loss of adhesive capability. In one embodiment, therepositionable adhesive is a repositionable microsphere pressuresensitive adhesive, for example as described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,571,617, 5,045,569, 4,495,318, 4,166,152, 3,857,731, and 3,691,140.Alternatively, adhesive material 24 may be a permanent adhesive.

Release liner 26 is provided on adhesive material 24 to prevent displaydevice 10 from becoming adhered to a surface before desired. When a userwishes to place display device 10 on a substrate for display ofsubstantially planar article 12, release liner 26 is peeled away fromback surface 29 to expose adhesive material 24. When adhesive material24 is exposed, display device 10 may be mounted on a desired substrate.In one embodiment, release liner 26 is a sheet of paper coated with arelease coating on its side facing adhesive material 24. The releasecoating may be of any known materials used for their release propertiesfor adhesives. Exemplary materials of this type are silicones andmodified silicones, the modification including both copolymerization ofsilicones with other non-release chemical agents or by addingnon-silicone materials to the silicone coating solution prior toapplication to the base paper of the release liner. Other release agentssuch as polyethylene, fluorocarbons, and polyvinyl octadecyl carbamatemay also be used. The choice of release coating is dependent on thetack, adhesion level, and chemical nature of adhesive material 24.

It should be noted that corner pockets 30 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B aremerely exemplary, and any mounts capable of receiving a portion ofsubstantially planar article 12 to secure substantially planar article12 relative to the display device is contemplated by the presentinvention. For example, FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view ofdisplay device 40 for supporting a substantially planar articleaccording to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B isa perspective view of display device 40 showing substantially planararticle 12 supported thereby. Display device 40 includes support layer50, openings 52, adhesive material 54 and release liner 56. Supportlayer 50 includes front surface 58 and back surface 59. Adhesivematerial 54 is preferably provided on back surface 59, and release liner56 is removably provided on adhesive material 54.

Substantially planar article 12 is supported by display device 40 asshown in FIG. 2B. Substantially planar article 12 is supported bydisplay device 40 by inserting corners of substantially planar article12 into openings 52. Openings 52 receive the corners of substantiallyplanar article 12 such that the corners of substantially planar article12 are on a side opposite of support layer 50 from the remainder ofsubstantially planar article 12 when properly supported by displaydevice 40. When the corners of substantially planar article 12 arereceived by openings 52, substantially planar article 12 is preventedfrom moving significantly with respect to display device 40.

Support layer 50 has a size that is substantially similar to the size ofsubstantially planar article 12. That is, the size of support layer 50is such that, when substantially planar article 12 is supported bysupport layer 50, support layer 50 remains largely hidden when viewingsubstantially planar article 12. Support layer 50 is made of a resilientmaterial which provides support for substantially planar article 12. Inone embodiment, support layer is made of a transparent polymericmaterial, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, anionomer, or the like. While the use of a transparent polymeric materialfor support layer 50 is preferred, support layer 50 (or portionsthereof) may also be made of a translucent resilient material or of anopaque fibrous material such as paper.

Openings 52 are shaped to receive the corners of substantially planararticle 12. Support layer 50 is made of a material that is pliable topermit the corners of substantially planar article 12 to be easilyreceived by openings 52, but durable to allow frequent insertion intoopenings 52 and removal from openings 52 of substantially planararticles 12 without damage to the openings 52. Openings 52 are shown tohave a substantially triangular shape, but any opening having a shapecapable of receiving and maintaining the corners of substantially planararticle 12 may be provided. For example, openings 52 may be providedwith various other contours, including square, rectangular, crescent,and circular shapes, or each opening 52 may simply constitute a straightcut line through support layer 50.

Display device 40 includes a layer of adhesive material 54 on backsurface 59 to allow display device 40, and substantially planar article12 supported thereby, to be mounted and displayed on any number ofsubstrates, including albums, scrapbooks, doors, walls, refrigerators,computer monitors, and so on. In one embodiment, adhesive material 54 isprovided on a portion of back surface 59, but adhesive material 54 mayalternatively completely coat back surface 59. Adhesive material 54 maybe a repositionable adhesive, which permits display device 40 to beadhered to and removed from a variety of substrates multiple timeswithout significant loss of adhesive capability. In one embodiment, therepositionable adhesive is a repositionable microsphere pressuresensitive adhesive, for example as described in the patents listedabove. Alternatively, adhesive material 54 may be a permanent adhesive.

Release liner 56 is provided on adhesive material 54 to prevent displaydevice 50 from becoming adhered to a surface before desired. When a userwishes to place display device 40 on a substrate for display ofsubstantially planar article 12, release liner 56 is peeled away fromback surface 59 to expose adhesive material 54. When adhesive material54 is exposed, display device 40 may be mounted on a desired substrate.In one embodiment, release liner 56 is a sheet of paper coated with arelease coating on its side facing adhesive material 54. The releasecoating may be of any known materials used for their release propertiesfor adhesives. Exemplary materials of this type are silicones andmodified silicones, the modification including both copolymerization ofsilicones with other non-release chemical agents or by addingnon-silicone materials to the silicone coating solution prior toapplication to the base paper of the release liner. Other release agentssuch as polyethylene, fluorocarbons, and polyvinyl octadecyl carbamatemay also be used. The choice of release coating is dependent on thetack, adhesion level, and chemical nature of adhesive material 54.

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of display device 70 forsupporting a substantially planar article according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a perspective viewof display device 70 showing substantially planar article 12 supportedthereby. Display device 70 includes support layer 80, slits 82, adhesivematerial 84 and release liner 86. Support layer 80 includes frontsurface 88 and back surface 89. Adhesive material 84 is preferablyprovided on back surface 89, and release liner 86 is removably providedon adhesive material 84.

Substantially planar article 12 is supported by display device 70 asshown in FIG. 3B. Substantially planar article 12 is supported bydisplay device 70 by inserting corners of substantially planar article12 into slits 82. Slits 82 receive the corners of substantially planararticle 12 such that the corners of substantially planar article 12 areon a side opposite of support layer 80 from the remainder ofsubstantially planar article 12 when properly supported by displaydevice 70. When the corners of substantially planar article 12 arereceived by slits 82, substantially planar article 12 is prevented frommoving significantly with respect to display device 70.

Support layer 80 has a size that is substantially similar to the size ofsubstantially planar article 12. That is, the size of support layer 80is such that, when substantially planar article 12 is supported bysupport layer 80, support layer 80 frames substantially planar article12. Support layer 80 is made of a resilient material which providessupport for substantially planar article 12. In one embodiment, supportlayer 80 is made of a transparent polymeric material, such aspolypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, an ionomer, or thelike. While the use of a transparent polymeric material for supportlayer 80 is preferred, support layer 80 (or portions thereof) may alsobe made of a translucent resilient material or of an opaque fibrousmaterial such as paper.

Slits 82 are shaped to receive the corners of substantially planararticle 12. Support layer 80 is made of a material that is pliable topermit the corners of substantially planar article 12 to be easilyreceived by slits 82, but durable to allow frequent insertion into slits82 and removal from slits 82 of substantially planar articles 12 withoutdamage to the slits 82. In one embodiment, slits 82 are formed insupport layer 80 by die cutting, and preferably have a length in therange of 0.50 and 1.00 inch and a width of less than 0.25 inch. Thepattern and shape of slits 82 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are merelyillustrative, and any alternative pattern or shape of slits may beformed in support layer 80 instead of or in addition to the patternshown.

Display device 70 includes a layer of adhesive material 84 on backsurface 89 to allow display device 70, and substantially planar article12 supported thereby, to be mounted and displayed on any number ofsubstrates, including albums, scrapbooks, doors, walls, refrigerators,computer monitors, and so on. In one embodiment, adhesive material 84 isprovided on a portion of back surface 89, but adhesive material 84 mayalternatively completely coat back surface 89. Adhesive material 84 maybe a repositionable adhesive, which permits display device 70 to beadhered to and removed from a variety of substrates multiple timeswithout significant loss of adhesive capability. In one embodiment,repositionable adhesive is a repositionable microsphere pressuresensitive adhesive, for example as described in the patents listedabove. Alternatively, adhesive material 84 may be a permanent adhesive.

Release liner 86 is provided on adhesive material 84 to prevent displaydevice 70 from becoming adhered to a surface before desired. When a userwishes to place display device 70 on a substrate for display ofsubstantially planar article 12, release liner 86 is peeled away fromback surface 89 to expose adhesive material 84. When adhesive material84 is exposed, display device 70 may be mounted on a desired substrate.In one embodiment, release liner 86 is a sheet of paper coated with arelease coating on its side facing adhesive material 84. The releasecoating may be of any known materials used for their release propertiesfor adhesives. Exemplary materials of this type are silicones andmodified silicones, the modification including both copolymerization ofsilicones with other non-release chemical agents or by addingnon-silicone materials to the silicone coating solution prior toapplication to the base paper of the release liner. Other release agentssuch as polyethylene, fluorocarbons, and polyvinyl octadecyl carbamatemay also be used. The choice of release coating is dependent on thetack, adhesion level, and chemical nature of adhesive material 84.

The display devices heretofore described have been described with regardto mounts for receiving corners of the substantially planar articlesupported thereby, but it will be understood that any portions (e.g.,edges) of the substantially planar article may be supported by themounts formed in or on the support layer. In addition, the size andshape of the support layer and the pattern and shape of the mounts forreceiving a portion of the substantially planar article may be varied toaccommodate substantially planar articles of various shapes and sizes.For example, the support layer and mounts may be configured in astandardized pattern to accommodate, for example, photographs ofstandard size (e.g., wallet, 3½″×5″, 4″×6″, 5″×7″, etc.), or configuredin a customized pattern to accommodate substantially planar articles ofunique sizes.

For example, FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of display device100 for supporting a uniquely shaped substantially planar articleaccording to a further embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4Bis a perspective view of display device 100 showing substantially planararticle 102 supported thereby. Display device 100 includes support layer110, mounting tabs 112, adhesive material 114 and release liner 116.Support layer 110 includes front surface 118 and back surface 119.Adhesive material 114 is preferably provided on back surface 119, andrelease liner 116 is removably provided on adhesive material 114.

Substantially planar article 102 is supported by display device 100 asshown in FIG. 4B. Substantially planar article 102 is supported bydisplay device 100 by inserting edge portions of substantially planararticle 102 under mounting tabs 112. Mounting tabs 112 receive edgeportions of substantially planar article 102 such that the edge portionsof substantially planar article 102 are on a side opposite of supportlayer 110 from the remainder of substantially planar article 102 whenproperly supported by display device 100. When the edge portions ofsubstantially planar article 102 are received by slits 112,substantially planar article 102 is prevented from moving significantlywith respect to display device 100. It will be understood that while thesubstantially planar article shown supported along its edges has aunique shape, a substantially planar article of any shape and size maybe supported along its edges in a similar fashion.

Support layer 110 has a size that is substantially similar to the sizeof substantially planar article 102. That is, the size and shape ofsupport layer 110 is such that, when substantially planar article 102 issupported by support layer 110, support layer 110 frames substantiallyplanar article 102. Support layer 110 is made of a resilient materialwhich provides support for substantially planar article 102. In oneembodiment, support layer 110 is made of a transparent polymericmaterial, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, anionomer, or the like. Support layer 110 (or portions thereof) may alsobe made of a translucent resilient material or of an opaque fibrousmaterial such as paper.

Mounting tabs 112 are configured to receive edge portions ofsubstantially planar article 102. Support layer 110 is made of amaterial that is pliable to permit the edge portions of substantiallyplanar article 102 to be easily received by mounting tabs 112, butdurable to allow frequent insertion into mounting tabs 112 and removalfrom mounting tabs 112 of substantially planar articles 102 withoutdamage to the mounting tabs 112. In one embodiment, mounting tabs 112are formed in support layer 110 by die cutting, and preferably have alength in the range of 0.50 and 1.00 inch and a width of less than 0.25inch. The pattern and shape of mounting tabs 112 shown in FIGS. 4A and4B are merely illustrative, and any alternative pattern or shape ofmounting tabs 112 may be formed in support layer 110 instead of or inaddition to the pattern shown.

Display device 100 includes a layer of adhesive material 114 on backsurface 119 to allow display device 100, and substantially planararticle 102 supported thereby, to be mounted and displayed on any numberof substrates, including albums, scrapbooks, doors, walls,refrigerators, computer monitors, and so on. In one embodiment, adhesivematerial 114 is provided on a portion of back surface 119, but adhesivematerial 114 may alternatively completely coat back surface 119.Adhesive material 114 may be a repositionable adhesive, which permitsdisplay device 100 to be adhered to and removed from a variety ofsubstrates multiple times without significant loss of adhesivecapability. In one embodiment, repositionable adhesive is arepositionable microsphere pressure sensitive adhesive, for example asdescribed in the patents listed above. Alternatively, adhesive material114 may be a permanent adhesive.

Release liner 116 is provided on adhesive material 114 to preventdisplay device 100 from becoming adhered to a surface before desired.When a user wishes to place display device 100 on a substrate fordisplay of substantially planar article 102, release liner 116 is peeledaway from back surface 119 to expose adhesive material 114. Whenadhesive material 114 is exposed, display device 100 may be mounted on adesired substrate. In one embodiment, release liner 116 is a sheet ofpaper coated with a release coating on its side facing adhesive material114. The release coating may be of any known materials used for theirrelease properties for adhesives. Exemplary materials of this type aresilicones and modified silicones, the modification including bothcopolymerization of silicones with other non-release chemical agents orby adding non-silicone materials to the silicone coating solution priorto application to the base paper of the release liner. Other releaseagents such as polyethylene, fluorocarbons, and polyvinyl octadecylcarbamate may also be used. The choice of release coating is dependenton the tack, adhesion level, and chemical nature of adhesive material114.

The display devices for supporting a substantially planar articleheretofore described provide several advantages over the prior art. Forexample, the display devices provide a mounting option for asubstantially planar article without exposing it to an adhesivematerial. This avoids the potential for deleterious effects to theintegrity of the substantially planar article due to contact with theadhesive. Also, the repositionability of the display device and thesimple insertion and removal of the substantially planar article allowfor an impermanent and informal mounting option of the substantiallyplanar article on a substrate. Furthermore, a substantially planararticle supported by a display device according to the present inventioncan be mounted in a myriad of locations, and in a variety ofconfigurations and orientations.

Various modifications to the display devices heretofore described may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For example, the size and shape of the support layer may bevaried and the various mounts heretofore described may be provided inany number, combination, or configuration to provide a device which iscapable of receiving a portion of a substantially planar article tosecure the substantially planar article relative to the display device.Also, the support layers of any of the display devices may optionally beprovided with printing to provide a personalized, decorative, or framedappearance for the substantially planar article supported thereby, or toprovide product promotion or use instructions. Furthermore, the displaydevices have been described with regard to an adhesive material on theback surface of the display device, but any material or mechanism may beused to provide a means for attaching the display device to a substrate.Examples of alternative means for attaching the display device to asubstrate include surface fasteners such as hook and loop systemfasteners, magnetic devices such as a magnetic strip or a magneticbacking, or other adhesive materials such as double-sided tape.

In summary, conventional devices for supporting and displaying a planararticle, such as a photograph, use various means to mount the planararticle to a substrate, including adhesives on the planar article andindividually applied corner mounts. These various mounting means sufferfrom a variety of drawbacks that may have a deleterious effect on theintegrity of the planar articles and may result in difficulty inmounting the photograph. The present invention is a display device forsupporting a substantially planar article, such as a photograph. Thedisplay device includes a support layer having a size substantiallysimilar to the substantially planar article. The display device alsoincludes a plurality of mounts arranged for receiving portions of thesubstantially planar article therein to secure the substantially planararticle relative to the support layer. In one embodiment, the displaydevice further includes means, such as an adhesive material, provided onat least a portion of a back surface of the display device for attachingthe display device to a substrate. In this way, the substantially planararticle is not exposed to the attaching means, thereby avoiding thedrawbacks heretofore described.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A device for supporting a substantially planar article comprising: asupport layer having a size substantially similar to the substantiallyplanar article; and a plurality of mounts arranged for receivingportions of the substantially planar article therein to secure thesubstantially planar article relative to the support layer.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of mounts isformed by affixing a securing tab to a portion of the support layer toprovide a pocket to receive a corner portion of the substantially planararticle.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the securing layer is affixedto a portion of the support layer by heat bonding.
 4. The device ofclaim 2, wherein the securing layer is affixed to a portion of thesupport layer with an adhesive material.
 5. The device of claim 1,wherein one or more of the plurality of mounts comprises a slit formedin the support layer, each slit aligned to receive a portion of thesubstantially planar article.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein one ormore of the plurality of mounts comprises an opening formed in thesupport layer, each opening being shaped to receive a portion of thesubstantially planar article.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein one ormore of the plurality of mounts comprises a tab formed in the supportlayer, each tab being shaped to receive a portion of the substantiallyplanar article.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the support layer istransparent to allow viewing of the portions of the substantially planararticle received by the mounts.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein thesupport layer has a front side and an opposite back side, wherein thesubstantially planar article is secured to the front side of the supportlayer, and further comprising: means for attaching the device to asubstrate provided on at least a portion of the back side of the supportlayer.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the means for attaching thedevice to a substrate comprises an adhesive material.
 11. The device ofclaim 10, further comprising: a release liner removably provided on theadhesive material.
 12. The device of claim 10, wherein the adhesivematerial is a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive.
 13. The deviceof claim 10, wherein the adhesive material is a permanent adhesive. 14.The device of claim 1, wherein the support layer comprises a transparentpolymeric material.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the transparentpolymeric material is selected from the group consisting ofpolypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, and an ionomer. 16.The device of claim 1, wherein the support layer comprises a papermaterial.
 17. A device for securing a photograph to a substratecomprising: a support layer having a first major surface and a secondmajor surface; a plurality of mounts arranged to secure the photographon the first major surface; and an adhesive material on at least aportion of the second major surface.
 18. The device of claim 17, whereinone or more of the plurality of mounts is formed by affixing a securingtab to a portion of the first major surface of the support layer toprovide a pocket to receive a portion of a corner of the photograph. 19.The device of claim 17, wherein one or more of the plurality of mountscomprises a slit formed in the support layer, each slit aligned toreceive a portion of the photograph.
 20. The device of claim 17, whereinone or more of the plurality of mounts comprises an opening formed inthe support layer, each opening being shaped to receive a portion of thephotograph.
 21. The device of claim 17, wherein one or more of theplurality of mounts comprises a tab formed in the support layer, eachtab being shaped to receive a portion of the substantially planararticle.
 22. The device of claim 17, wherein the device has a sizesubstantially similar to a size of the photograph.
 23. The device ofclaim 17, further comprising: a release liner removably provided on theadhesive material.
 24. The device of claim 17, wherein the adhesivematerial is a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive.
 25. The deviceof claim 17, wherein the adhesive material is a permanent adhesive. 26.The device of claim 17, wherein the support layer comprises atransparent polymeric material.
 27. The device of claim 26, wherein thetransparent polymeric material is selected from the group consisting ofpolypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, and an ionomer. 28.The device of claim 17, wherein the support layer comprises an opaquefibrous material.
 29. A device for securing a photograph to a substratewithout exposing the photograph to adhesive, the device comprising: asupport layer having a size substantially similar to the photograph andhaving a front side and a back side; a plurality of mounts arranged tosecure the photograph on the front side of the support layer; and anadhesive material on at least a portion of the back side of the supportlayer.
 30. The device of claim 29, further comprising: a release linerremovably provided on the adhesive material.
 31. The device of claim 29,wherein the adhesive material is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 32. Thedevice of claim 31, wherein the adhesive material is a repositionablepressure sensitive adhesive.
 33. The device of claim 29, wherein theadhesive material is a permanent adhesive.